Abby Anderson from The Last of Us Looks Stunning in Real Life

Some stars like to channel their character into a project’s press junket with the thematic red carpet trend that is method dressing. But if you were expecting to see a glimpse of Abby Anderson in Kaitlyn Dever’s “The Last of Us” promotional outfits, think again. Eschewing any sense of dystopian practicality, Dever instead channeled classic couture in her chic ensembles. For instance, she arrived at the Australian premiere of Season 2 in April 2025 wearing a feminine gown that couldn’t be further from Abby’s gritty vibe. The strapless dress’ airy fit was made even sweeter by falls of white lace, and the “Dopesick” actor showed wise restraint by offsetting the look with a single, dainty necklace.

Dever was similarly refined at the season’s Los Angeles premiere, where she opted for a detailed black sheath dress made of semi-sheer lace. Its structural bodice faintly — and cleverly — evoked the organic shapes of the cordyceps fungus that drives the world-ending outbreak in “The Last of Us.” However, everything else was pure, un-Abby-like couture, from its curve-hugging fit to Dever’s sleek chignon. And while Abby has drawn a lot of ire from fans, Dever got nothing but love on her Instagram post of the ‘fit. “You are perfection!” wrote one commenter, while co-star (and archetype of the internet zaddy craze) Pedro Pascal said it all with the heart and sparkle emojis.

Abby Anderson may have no need for fashion in the bleak landscape of “The Last of Us,” but actor Kaitlyn Dever enjoys expressing herself through her wardrobe. “I do like to go bold with my fashion, and when I’m doing something bold, but I’m comfy, that’s when I feel most confident,” she told Harper’s Bazaar in 2023. “I think it shows the true evolution of my style. I’ve gone from wearing soccer shorts with everything 24/7 as a kid to loving Audrey Hepburn. That journey has for sure shaped how I dress now.”

Nowhere is this point of view clearer than in the custom Michael Kors Collection gown Dever wore to the 2023 Met Gala, as it tastefully balanced ribcage cutouts and a midriff rosette with its sleek mermaid silhouette. “When I first saw the drawing of my dress, I honestly just fell in love,” Dever further told the outlet. “I love a train – and this dress has a pretty significant one. I also love the flower being a sort of nod to Karl [Lagerfeld] and Chanel. The cut-outs, the crimson color, and the fact it has this hand embroidery all over it, with beautiful sequins — it’s just absolutely stunning.” We can’t help but agree. Unlike some other stars, who had the worst looks at the 2023 Met Gala, Dever pulled off her ensemble with grace and flair.

This poise resounds with the thoughtful approach she takes to character work. Despite the sartorial and emotional gap between Dever and Abby, there’s also a certain shared humanity, and the “Justified” actor worked hard to bring complexity to the role. “It’s easy to call Abby a villain because of how she presents herself in the world—her tough exterior,” Dever told Elle. “But [she’s also] this raw, broken, vulnerable person. It’s important to see that.”